2. (Zo["o]l.) A rodent ({Meriones unguiculatus}) of the
subfamily {Gerbillinae} that is commonly kept as a pet; it
is also called the {tamarisk gerbil}, {sand rat} and
{jird}. Its natural habitats are the dry regions of
Northern Africa and Asia.
[PJC]

gerbil — or gerbille [jʉr′bəl] n. [Fr gerbille &LT; ModL gerbillus &LT; gerbo, JERBOA] any of a subfamily (Gerbillinae, family Cricetidae) of burrowing rodents, with long hind legs and hairy tail, native to Africa and Asia: often kept as a pet … English World dictionary

gerbil — /jerr beuhl/, n. 1. any of numerous small burrowing rodents of the genus Gerbillus and related genera, of Asia, Africa, and southern Russia, having long hind legs used for jumping. 2. Also called tamarisk gerbil. a jird, Meriones unguiculatus,… … Universalium

gerbil — UK [ˈdʒɜː(r)b(ə)l] / US [ˈdʒɜrb(ə)l] noun [countable] Word forms gerbil : singular gerbil plural gerbils a small animal like a mouse with long back legs, that children often keep as a pet … English dictionary

gerbil — [[t]ʤɜ͟ː(r)bɪl[/t]] gerbils N COUNT A gerbil is a small, furry animal that is often kept as a pet … English dictionary

gerbil — also gerbille noun Etymology: French gerbille, from New Latin Gerbillus, diminutive of gerboa, jerboa jerboa Date: 1849 any of numerous Old World burrowing desert rodents (Gerbillus and related genera) with long hind legs adapted for leaping … New Collegiate Dictionary